Life / Racist violence in Poland [172]

sigh.... why can't we just all get along... (as the yankies say..)...

Most people including myself hate to be criticized and to have my weaknesses and faults pointed out. But I must admit, it take a great personality to admit their weakness and try to improve. Indeed there is not country in the world where you do not find racists, ethnicists or whatever... The only thing is that in Poland as soon as you leave the big cities (and even in the big cities), as a non-white person you need to always watch your back. Not just Poland, also all the former Eastern block countries including Russia.

Seems something about being under the Soviets. I suppose they produced societies struggling to adjust to capitalism and as a result loads of maladjusted youth who see no hope in life and feel very frustrated and humiliated. They sorts lash out at foreigners.. They live in wretched neighbourhoods, in wretched accomodation with wretched jobs so all they have to hang on their chest with pride is that they are white and therefore superior and justified in attacking non-whites. I suppose it was the same general mood in prewar Germany that lead to lots of unemployed Germans with similar wretched circumstances (after WWI) to create the Uber Alles fantasy...

Life / Racist violence in Poland [172]

Thanks for your inputs guys.

"Have you visited the place where you would be moving to? I'm sure that your spouse wouldn't want you and your children to be subjected to any kind of abuse"

Foxy - yes I have in Warszawa and a few other cities (Posnan, Gdansk, Wroclaw, Krakow, Szceczin) but not for long enough to know how things would be living there permanently and certainly no idea what it would be like for my 2 daughters.. I had soem monkey chats directed my way in Wroclaw once and was called a terrorist on a train another time, but no problems elsewhere although I did feel it was only a matter of time..

I have 1 black friend who studied in Krakow and Warsawa who swore that he never had any problems and was full of praise of Poland although he did mention an African guy who happened to walk past some football fans by mistake and was beaten so badly he was in hospital for 7 months. Another mixed race friend who grew up half Polish in Krakow and also said he never had any problems. Another black friend who got attacked by a gang of guys at club and had to call as many other non whites he new to come and back him up when he left the club (result was a big fight)...

I must say the majority of Poles I met, once I got to know them, where all very sweet. Women definately but men too.. Even the ones who seem so full of hate seem to put on this show for their friends and to appear macho and important..

Harry, sorry to hear about all the problems you had. I lived in the states for many years so can imagine the shock. I hope a lot of good experiences with the majority though despite the actions of this minority.